By Will Cummings
myHitNews.com

The digital world we live in is truly amazing. I’m late to the game on Twitter, but I’m giving it a shot. It’s another new technology that MHN is implementing like this post which is being written on my mobile phone. I’ve had the capability to do it for quite some time–until now, just never pulled the trigger.

You can access the myHitNews1 Twitter on our site by clicking on its tab at the top of the page. Of course you can also access it from anywhere as long as you have an account.

I’ll be giving our new-to-me Twitter and mobile post technologies more of a whirl later tonight at the game–if I can manage to do so in between taking shots of the action.

If the above video promo does not appear in your browser click this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIsR6wNmDMo 

Notes and Closing Thoughts on the 2010 Track and Field Season 

In Pursuit of Victory: Millard South’s Clara Nichols (left) and Lincoln Southwest’s Amanda Brown battle stride for stride down the home stretch, during a thrilling race for Class A gold in the girls 400 meter finals, at the Nebraska High School Track and Field Meet State Championship. At the finish line, Nichols barely managed to lean past Brown to capture her second Class A 400 title.

By Will Cummings
myHitNews.com

The Nichols/Brown duel is one of several very exciting finishes featured in the 2010 State Track and Field Meet video produced by Hit Highlights.com

Quick Notes: The 2010 Nebraska HS track and field season was very good indeed.  And if you just look at the list of all the outstanding talent that returns to the oval and field next year: the 2011 season could be a banner year for Nebraska high school track. Of course, the expectations for next season will be dependent primarily on the focus and dedication of the athletes to improve their performances. And we can’t leave out of the mix well-health and good weather in 2011.

State Champion Track & Field Athletes Returning in 2011

LaQue Moen- Davis—what more can I say. The future Olympian was only one 100^th of a second away from becoming the first girl in state history to win 4 individual All-Class gold medals. Daniel Davie—a very gifted and explosive athlete with a huge upside! He had a miss-stride in the boys 100 and ran a terrible curve in the 200 and still managed to capture both All-Class gold medals. and posted good times to boot Marshall Anderson—this All-Class Gold sophomore distance runner looks like he has a lot left in the tank—enough to chase down some records over the next couple of years. Brianna McGhee—My! The sophomore with a beautiful stride is simply marvelous—records will fall!  Clara Nichols—I’m more impressed with her this year even though she failed to capture individual All-Class Gold. The big hearted sophomore is just a start-improvement away to becoming a sub-12-second 100 and consistent sub-25-second 200 meters sprinter. The 400 meter state record is hers for the taking and ditto for her sophomore teammate Morgan Woitzel, who already shares the Class A state meet record). Maia Reynolds—Whew!  An impressive and explosive sprinter that is definitely capable of running a legitimate sub-12 second 100 meters. Ted Lampkin—the boy can jump!  A tremendous athlete who is quite capable of breaking both the triple and the long jump records. Also don’t count him out in the 100.  Kaylan Brannagan–the All-Class gold 300 meter hurdles champion is the only freshman–boy or girl–to win individual All class gold at the 2010 state meet. The Class C standout from Shelton had to beat out LaQue Moen-Davis’s time to accomplish the feat. Her victory should be duly noted as the obstacle that prevented Moen-Davis from making history.  Amber Ewers—The Class B All-Class gold 400 meter medal winner looked impressive—a very strong sprinter. Kristie Mullen—the outstanding 800 meter distance runner looks to claim more gold in 2011. Aubree Worden—the Scottsbluff junior dominated the field in the 3200. Michelle Wallerstedt—the All-Class gold discus champion (144’ 4”) is only a sophomore at Burke. Beau Simmons—the junior Aurora pole-vaulter catapulted 15’ 2” to capture All-Class gold. Brady Rutt—on an awful day for throwing, the junior discus thrower from Hastings managed to let one fly for 173 feet to win All-Class gold.

Dude, that’s a lot of talent up there for a state with  a population of only 1.8 million. And believe me there are more in the woodpile that could come out and shock the state in 2011.

Closing thoughts: Thomas Hodges—may very well have been the fastest boy in Nebraska. The 2010 Class A 100 meter champion (10.75) pulled up injured on his last couple of strides during the race and he was unable to compete in the 200. He missed All-Class Gold in the 100 by one 100^th of a second–just sayin’! Bethany DeLong—absolutely no competition in her class to push her to better times—but there is no doubt that she can run!!! And that’s why she gets a D-1 scholarship. Antaries Daniels–after sitting out last season, he looked impressive in the Class A 100 meter finals, finishing third (10.80). I’m Looking forward to seeing him play in this year’s Shrine Bowl in June, where he should experience something new–an O-line that can block and give him some holes to run through. Speaking of football players, Nebraska walk-on Dillon Schrodt looked ripped and ready to rumble. The Lincoln North Star senior came up just a hair short–less than a half tenth second- to Omaha Northwest’s Elijah Mason in an epic Class A 110 meter high hurdle race.  Look for Schrodt to make some noise early on at NU! Tim Thompson of Boys Town is headed to NU on a track scholarship, but he also looks like he could do some damage on the football field as well. I wonder how fast Thompson really is considering he has been nursing injuries for the last couple of years. Deverell Biggs—the ultimate clutch performer! Biggs leaped to an All-Class gold personal best  7-foot high jump at state and he only stands 6-foot-1-inch tall. Three state titles in basketball and two All-Class gold high jump medals will earn him strong consideration in the future for Nebraska High School Hall of Fame honors.  Stephon Washington—he ends his high school career with four Class A titles in the 300 meter hurdles—something not done in that event since 1920. And finally, how about the senior from Kearney–Steven Stumbough–who seemingly came out of nowhere to capture the Class A 200 meter title. Nice time (22.20) too.

Video: Below, Check out some of the action from the 2010 Nebraska High School Track & Field Meet State Championship:

If the above 2010 Nebraska High School State Track & Field  Meet video does not appear in your browser click link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2i9QhHAlns

By Will Cummings
myHitNews.com

   The 2010 Nebraska High school track and field season ended with a bang—a  lot of wind too!  Plenty of meet records were set and a bunch of athletes saved their season personal best performances for the big show.

  On Saturday,  I  took my video camera along with me to capture some of the exciting action at Burke. Hopefully, I will have some video posted on the site soon.   

   There were several very impressive performances and a lot of quality athletes at this year’s state meet—many of them will be returning for more in 2011.

 MHN 2010 Nebraska High School Track & Field Championships Honor List:

A star is born: Daniel Davie prepares for an interview after winning the Class B 200 meter. Davie's 21.95 time held up through the Class A heat, allowing him to claim his second All-Class gold medal of the meet (he won the 100 with a time of 10.74).

Boys 

Top Boys Performer:  Daniel Davie, Beatrice
Chris Reed, Ted Lampkin and Deverell Biggs, Omaha Central: Brandon White and Thomas Hodges, Omaha North; Elijah Mason and Antaries Daniels, Omaha Northwest; Marshall Anderson, Papillion-La Vista; Tim Thompson, Boys Town; Dillon Schrodt, Lincoln North Star, Stephon Washington, Omaha Burke; Steven Stumbough, Kearney; Adam Stark, Elkhorn and Tyler Wullenwaber, Centinial.

Girls

Top Girls Performer:  LaQue Moen-Davis
The entire Omaha North Girls Track Team—LaQue Moen-Davis, Maia Reynolds and Brianna McGhee heading the list; Kalyn Brannagan, Shelton; Lauren Welch, Papillion-La Vista; Michelle Wallerstedt, Omaha Burke;  Amber Ewers, Columbus Scotus;  Clara Nichols and Morgan Woitzel, Millard South: Kristie Mullen, Omaha Roncalli and  Amanda Brown, Lincoln Southwest.

Class C Sprinter Takes On the Big Girls of Class A for Gold

Class C's Bethany DeLong, a Colorado State recruit, wraps up her outstanding high school career at this weekend's state track meet.

   DeLong’s inability to secure a top sprint medal in 2009 had more to do with some nagging injuries combined with the lack of quality Class C competition at the state meet than it did with her athletic prowess.  This year a healthier and more seasoned DeLong will need to dramatically overcome that same dearth of  talent in her class if she is to claim All-Class sprint gold.  And she had better be movin’ lively because a couple of those girls in Class A can fly!

100 Meter

DeLong has posted a 2010 personal best time of 12.24 in the 100. Heading the list of her competitors is reigning All-Class gold medal 100 meter champion Maia Reynolds (12.22) from Omaha North. The Viking junior has been injured much of the year but looks to be back in form as she posted a strong 12.31 time at districts.   The only other 100 meter sprinter entered that may be capable of challenging these two is Millard South sophomore Clara Nichols (12.34). Nichols won All-Class gold in the 400 meter last year as a freshman– she will have to run the race of her life to claim All-Class in the 100.

Prediction 

Reynolds full health is still questionable and DeLong’s lack of Class C comp to push her is worrisome. Nothing against the junior from Omaha North, but My sentimental favorite here is Delong—I just like to see great athletes finish out on top. Bottom line: This one is a tossup.

200 Meter

Things will be a little tougher for DeLong (24.9) in the 200. Omaha North’s budding track star Brianna McGhee has lit up the track the track this season in the 200 (24.84) and Millard South sophomore Clara Nichols (25.29) will figure into the mix.

Prediction

Brianna McGhee should get a strong enough push from Nichols and the rest of Class A (including a couple of her teammates) to claim All-Class gold. This prediction will only true if DeLong merely decides to concern herself more with the Class C competition rather than simply running to perfection.  If she can manage to do the latter she will overcome.

Farewell Bethany DeLong

   DeLong  will conclude her remarkable  high school career this weekend and I can only suspect that she would like nothing better than to end it on Saturday by walking out of Burke Stadium wearing an All-Class Gold sprint medal (or two) around her neck.

   No matter what the outcome is at state,

“Thanks, Bethany, for giving us your best throughout your outstanding high school career and for achieving new standards to inspire those that follow.”

Betany Delong has accepted a student/athletic scholarship from Colorado State University to continue her education and track and field career.

Boys 100 Meter All-Class Gold Chase Looks to Be a Thriller

By Will Cummings
myHitNews.com

Beatrice High School junior Daniel Davie is in hot pursuit of 2010 State Meet All-Class 100 meter gold.

   Friday, May 21st,  marks the beginning of the end for the 2010 Nebraska High School Track and Field season. This season that has introduced us to some new talent in the likes of Beatrice junior sprinter Daniel Davie, Omaha Northwest senior high hurdler Elijah Mason, Omaha North sophomore sprinter Brianna McGhee, Millard West freshman distance runner Sidney Hirsch, and Papillion-La Vista sophomore longman Marshall Anderson.

   In addition to the fresh crop of talent that budded during 2010, the season has also produced several record-breaking and state leading performance times and marks by stalwart athletes like LaQue Moen-Davis (nation’s leading and Nebraska all-time best 42′ 1.5″ triple jump and Nebraska all-time best 19′ 11″ long jump), Morgan Woitzel (season’s best 400 and 800 times), Bethany  DeLong (near top marks in 100, 200 and long jump), Maia Reynolds (season’s best Class A 100 time) Alyssa Kamphaus (owns season’s top shot and discus marks), Tim Thompson ( wind-aided and hand-held 10.20 100 meter clocking shattered the previous Nebraska all-time record), Thomas Hodges (season’s  top Class A 100 time), Devrell Biggs (6′ 10″ high jump ties for season’s best), Sam Housh (remains among the top in the 110 HH) and Ted Lampkin (leads the state in the long–with state’s 5th all-time best mark at 24′ 4.75″– and is tied for season’s best triple jump).

   Overall the 2010 campaign seemed to lack the full-throttle punch that I had anticipated at the beginning of season. I just thought that with so many quality performers from last year returning to test the limits of their skills against the rubber, sand, bars and grass that a little bit more noise would be made in certain events.  Nonetheless–weather permitting–there is still hope that with such a healthy number of high caliber performers heading to Burke Stadium for the 2010 track and field finale, we will see the kinds of fireworks that I had envisioned from the start.

Questions to Be Answered at State

   Has Millard South’s Claire Nichols hit a plateau?  Or is she nursing an injury or focusing more on other events?  Or is Nichols simply saving her energy to put on a show for us at state?  In either case, I had hoped– hoped–to see some better times in the 400 from her and teammate Morgan Woitzel.  However, It would be unfair not to mention that both have bettered their personal best marks in other events this season—Nichols in the100 (12.36) and Woitzel in the 800. Will Burke’s Stephon Washington capture his fourth state meet 300 meter low hurdle title?  Will LaQue Moen-Davis hold onto her 100 meter hurdle crown with her teammate–and emerging star–Brianna McGhee breathing down her neck– actually beating her in the event at districts? Will Class C senior Bethany DeLong finally win an All-Class gold sprint medal? Can Teddy Lampkin fly past 25 feet in the long jump? Will freshman Sidney Hirsch triumph at state and can Deverell Biggs retain his state high jump crown by holding off all comers?  And of course who are the fastest boy and girl in Nebraska?  We’ll soon find the answers to these questions.

Must-See Action at 2010 State Meet

   In this writer’s opinion, the most hotly contested must-see individual boys events at the 2010 Nebraska High School Track & Field Championships will be the quest for the All-Class Gold Medal in the 100 meter, 200 meter, 110 meter HH, 800 meter, high jump and triple jump. The girl’s most competitive events include the hunt for All-Class Gold in 100 meter, 200 meter, 400 meter, 1600 meter and high jump.

During the next few days leading up to the State Meet,  MHN will preview some of the most hotly contested All-Class Gold events and the top-flight boys and girls who will provide all the heat in these contests.  

Boys 100 Meter

   This event is loaded!  And if the weather cooperates there is enough talent here to at least threaten the All-class state meet record. Accordingly, projecting the eventual 2010 all-class gold 100 meter medalist could be achieved  more accurately by simply pulling it out of hat containing about a half dozen of Nebraska’s top sprinters.  

   Among the names in that hat would be:  Boys Town’s (Class B) junior Tim Thompson–he owns the fastest Nebraska high school time ever recorded (10.2) in the event; Beatrice (Class B) junior Daniel Davie (10.4), has really been on fire posting quality times late in the season; Omaha North (Class A) senior Thomas Hodges (10.52) has been a consistent winner all season; Sidney (Class B) senior Brandon Segelke(10.74) also shows promise and we one can’t ignore Omaha Central (Class A) junior Ted Lampkin (10.84) or Omaha Northwest (Class A) senior Antaries Daniels (10.95) — both athletes have turned in strong season-ending performances in this event.

Prediction

   Boy, it’s really hard to go against Thompson’s all-time best 10.2 and his recent 10.60 district time. Therefore, Boys Town’s Tim Thompson is my pick-of-the-hat to win the Boys 100 meter All-Class Gold—but watch out for Davie and Hodges in that order.

Next: Girls 100 & 200 Meter

Moen-Davis Claims Another Nebraksa HS All-Time Best Mark in Long Jump — 19′ 11″

By Will Cummings
myHitNews.com

   Omaha North junior track and field sensation LaQue Moen-Davis is now the owner of two Nebraska high school girls track and field all-time best marks. Already holding the state’s all-time best mark in the triple jump — with a nation leading mark of 42’ 1.5″-- Moen-Davis claimed her second Nebraska all-time best mark in the long jump at Tuesday’s Metro Conference Track & Field Meet. Her leap of 19’ 11” broke the previous top mark of 19’ 9.25” set by Omaha Marian’s Candice Mills in 2002. In addition to being the undisputed Queen of the Sand, Moen-Davis has also turned in the state’s second best time ever in the 100 meter intermediate hurdles.

   LaQue Moen-Davis is truly a remarkable athlete.

The following is an April 2008 article that I wrote after seeing LaQue perform for the first time during her freshman year. The first event I saw her perform in was the long jump. Despite her awkwardness and ragged jumping form that day (see the video below) she carried herself in such a way that I knew I was watching someone very special--so much so that I got out of the stands to get a closer look at her and to talk to her coach. What was it about her that foretold greatness? Everything!

Freshman LaQue Davis Shines at Millard South Track Meet

Central's Laque Davis rests after her 200 meter victory at the Millard South Track and Field Invite.

By Will Cummings
Hit News from hithighlights.com

All Right, we all know about how good Millard North’s Emily Sisson is as she continues to shatter meet records week in and week out as she did again on Friday by posting meet records in the 800 meter run and 3,200 meter relay at the Millard South Track and Field Invitational. But there is another young lady—a freshman—in the house that may one day be remembered as one of Nebraska’s finest female track and field athletes.

Central freshman LaQue Davis, who currently holds the season’s best girls long jump (18′ 2″), possesses the kind of raw talent and physical presence and early successes that foreshadow great things to come. Davis won the Millard South Invitationl long jump with a leap of 17′ 9.75″ and the 200 meters with a time of 26.02. She also placed second in the girls 100 meter hurdles.

Keep in mind that the Girls Class A long jump record is 18′ 5″ and the state record is 19′ 5″ (set back in 1975). My bet is that Davis will certainly eclipse the Class A record and she will be all around—if not over—the state long jump record, before the end of her high school career. Moreover, she may even threaten to take the 200 meter state record (24.52). That’s how much potential this young lady owns.

LaQue Davis is our Highlight Performer of the Meet. Finishing a close second to Davis’ performance was Omaha Burke’s Dale Ervin, who won the boys 100 and 200 meter dashes with respective times of 11.07 and 22.63. Ervin also anchored Burke’s 4 x 100 meter relay team that blazed to a meet record time of 42.63. The other members of Burke’s record setting relay were: Ben McCaleb (Sr.); Jake Marousek ( Jr.); and Kelvin Johnson (Jr.). It’s still early in the season, but their performance clearly establishes Burke as having the state’s premier 4 x 100 team. In addition, also look for Ervin to hotly contend for the Class A 100 and 200 meter state titles.

Kudos to: Stephon Washington—another strong 300 meter hurdle performance; Josh Kage—continues to win and to add more distance to his shot throws; team event champions Fremont (boys) and Millard West (girls); and of course Emily Sisson, who we mentioned at the start of this article.

See Millard South Invite video highlights below:
If unable to see player click this link to see Hit News videos: http://youtube.com/hitblog

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBIT8yNtLx0

Millard West Freshman Sidney Hirsch & Omaha North Sophomore Brianna McGhee are Stars on the Rise

myHitNews Flash: Hot Athletes Inside

LaQue Moen-Davis –Track fans attending the Dick Jones Central Invitational at Omaha Burke had the opportunity to see Moen-Davis shatter the Nebraska high school all time record in the triple jump with a monster hop, skip and jump of 42’ 1.5”. Moen-Davis’ record performance broke Republican Valley’s Rochelle Schmidt’s previous all-class best triple of 40’ (set in 2000) by more than one foot. The Omaha North junior’s state record bounce is also the furthest triple jump recorded so far this season by any high school girl in the nation! In addition, Moen-Davis flew to a state Class A record all time best of 19’ 2″ in the long jump (previous record  was19′ .5″ set in 2005 by Keaney’s Kelli Dring); ran to a meet record time of 14. 52 seconds in the 100 meter Intermediate hurdles and cleared 5’ 6” in the high jump to tie a meet record in winning the event. That’s four golds and four records–one of which leads the nation in 2010.   The high jump is a new focus for Moen-Davis this season. It’s my bet that if she stays at it—she will eventually break a state record in this event as well.  We may be witnessing the greatest Nebraska high school girl track and field athlete—ever!  Sidney Hirsch –  Only a freshman, this Millard West distance runner currently posts the best times of the 2010 season in the girls 1600 and 3200 meter runs. Over time–if she stays and healthy and keeps her focus–we may see her at least challenge some pretty solid state marks in the girls distance events.  Brianna McGhee — The Omaha North sophomore is certainly a star on the rise. McGhee ate up the Burke High track in the 200 meter to hit the tape in a dazzling Dick Jones meet record and season best time of 25.17. Ump! That’s movin’, especially for a sophomore!  My question: “What are they doing at North?”  Whatever it is: It’s all good!  Thomas Hodges — This Omaha North senior continues to impress. Hodges, coming off a brilliant 10.52 100 meter performance at last week’s  Benson Invite, won the 100 meter (10.88) and he also set a season best time of 21.99 seconds to win the 200 meter at the Dick Jones Invite.  Sam Housh — The reigning state all-class gold 110 meter high hurdle champion from Lincoln North Star clocked in at a season leading time of 14.52 seconds and set a meet record in winning the event at the Dick Jones Invite.

Sponsred by Hit Highlights.com Great Highlight Videos www.hithighlights.com

Nebraska High School Boys and Girls Track & Field leaders: Click Here.

North’s Thomas Hodges Posts 10.52 100 Meter at Benson Invite

Omaha North's Radell Nared (left) has season's best 200 meter time (22.24) and Thomas Hodges (right) holds Class A season best 100 meter time (10.52).

    My goodness! Omaha North’s Thomas Hodges blazes to a 10.52 finish in the 100 meter at the Benson Invitational.  It’s been awhile since the Omaha metro area has seen the kind of 100 meter times that have been posted this season by the likes of Hodges and Boys Town’s Tim Thompson, who ran the fastest Nebraska high school 100 meter time (10.20) ever recorded.

   I’ve watched Hodges develop since he was a Junior Olympian running for the Omaha Boys and Girls Jaguar Track Club. At the time he was not “the” fastest on the team but he was certainly among the top two or three. However, Thomas Hodges was definitely the hardest worker among the group. And now it looks as though his focus and strong work ethic are starting to pay off for him. That’s nice to see!

   It’s also great to see how all the efforts made by the grassroot volunteer track and field coaches, who train these young boys and girls–well before they enter high school–are starting to pay dividends at the Nebraska high school track and field level.  

   Many of the top Nebraska high school track and field athletes that we see today:  Radell Nared, Thomas Hodges, Maia Reynolds, Xavier Thompson, LaQue Moen-Davis, Clara Nichols, Morgan Woitzel, and many others are products from Junior Olympic and AAU track and field programs like the Cornhusker Flyers, Midwest Striders, Omaha Boys and Girls Jaguar Track Club, Bellevue Breeze, Lincoln Youth Track Club and many others. The administrators, coaches and officials that work in these programs, for the most part, volunteer their time and services to help young athletes reach their potential.

   It’s unfortunate that these dedicated and tireless volunteers do not get the credit that they deserve. The youth track and field volunteers spend a lot of long hot hours developing our youth during the summer, in addition to logging a lot of travel miles attending various meets around the region and across this country. Even when their pupils enter high school, they are still there to train them during the off season. Thanks to their efforts our young athletes have well laid foundations to excel at their crafts. 

   My hats off to all the volunteers–past and present—who work at the grassroots level.

Updated Nebraska High School Boys & Girls Track & Field Leaders: Click Here.